Vanity Fair’s Todd Purdum likes anonymity because then we can begin to assess motives. In all of the 9,000 words plus he used to trash Alaska Governor Sarah Palin he forgot a few things (besides facts) like interviewing Governor Palin, as well as, Fred Malek (who was heavily involved with the campaign), Rick Davis (the campaign manager) or Senator John McCain himself.
Go figure. That would require actual journalism skills. I guess it’s a good thing he’s writing for Vanity Fair, I’d hate for anyone to accuse him of having some.
Fred Malek writes on his blog today:
To summarize baseball legend Reggie Jackson: nobody boos a nobody. That is definitely true in the case of Governor Sarah Palin. I don’t think I am going out on a limb here when I speculate that individuals who repeatedly attack her anonymously view her as a threat. And that includes members of the media hell-bent tearing down young Republican up-and-comers as well as some in Governor Palin’s own party — a party desperately in need of redefining — who are motivated, for whatever reason, to try and crush their rivals.
The most recent and grossly unfair attack came from Vanity Fair magazine. The writer clearly had an unshakable point of view from the start and talked only to those who would criticize. For example, he personally asked me at event preceding the White House Correspondents Dinner if I would talk to him about Governor Palin. I agreed. He didn’t call. He didn’t email. He never once tried to get my take. I also know he never contacted campaign manager Rick Davis, or John McCain.
I have known many political leaders over four decades including all Republican presidents and VPs. I have come to know Sarah Palin over the past year and can state unequivocally that she is smart, curious, hard working, charming, and effective. She also has something her detractors clearly lack – a sense of honor and loyalty. (emphasis mine)
(Read the whole thing.)
I guess if you are Purdum, the only credible sources are the anonymous ones.